The Rolling Stones have started rehearsals, igniting rumours of a potential anniversary tour.
The Rolling Stones have always played the game by their own rules. With the 50th anniversary of their first ever show fast approaching, fans have been calling for the classic rock outfit to go back out on the road.
However the saga has become engulfed in rumour, speculation and denial. Earlier this year Mick Jagger seemed to rule out a tour, while guitarist Ronnie Wood has been busy performing with The Faces.
Now, though, hope has come from an unlikely source. Keith Richards has revealed that members of The Rolling Stones are set to meet up to begin rehearsals – albeit without frontman Mick Jagger.
The guitarist is planning to hook up with Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts over the coming weeks. “We’re just going to play a little together, because we haven’t played for three or four years” he told Rolling Stone. “You don’t necessarily want to rehearse or write anything – you just want to touch bases.”
Continuing, Keith Richards claimed that Mick Jagger would definitely be “welcome” at the rehearsals. “That’s a good start: me, Charlie and Ronnie. Mick’s welcome, and I’m sure he’ll turn up, but right now we just want to get our chops down.”
However the news is far from conformation of an anniversary tour. The saga has been long and complicated, with Mick Jagger recently joking with press that Keith Richards wouldn’t be invited.
Relations between the pair were said to be strained following the publication of Keith Richards’ autobiography ‘Life’ which mocked the size of Mick Jagger’s manhood.
Meanwhile, The Rolling Stones are currently focussing on a neglected aspect of their back catalogue. Released in 1978, ‘Some Girls’ merged the band’s blues rock sound with a punk-like sense of urgency.
Set to be re-issued on November 21st, the new edition of ‘Some Girls’ will be accompanied by the full DVD release of a 1978 concert in Texas.
